Best of the Week: 'Finding Neverland," Memphis soul, a modern 'Hamlet' and more

Director Diane Paulus is having a great year, with several shows playing on Broadway and on the road. “Waitress,” the sleeper hit with music by Sara Bareilles, opens at the Orpheum in three weeks, but first up is “Finding Neverland,” the “Peter Pan” prequel about author J.M. Barrie and the English family who inspired his tale. Adapted from the 2004 movie starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, it arrives for a weeklong run.Rohan Preston

It’s like the 2014 music documentary come alive. This concert brings the soul and R&B sounds of Memphis and the Mississippi Delta with blues stalwart Bobby Rush (pictured, who won his first Grammy this year at age 83), harmonica superstar Charlie Musselwhite and comeback soul man William Bell (who grabbed a Grammy this year for best Americana album). They’ll be backed by the Hi Rhythm Section that famously worked with Al Green.

Jon Bream

7 p.m. Tue.-Wed. Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls. $60-$90, dakotacooks.com

Charismatic actor Kory LaQuess Pullam leavens the Danish prince’s melancholy and cracked psyche with wit and humor in director Joel Sass’ streamlined adaptation of “Hamlet.” The show puts a fine “House of Cards” gloss on the Shakespeare classic, with a gorgeous turn by Maeve Coleen Moynihan as Ophelia. Sass does triple duty here, contributing a set design that makes us feel something truly is rotten in Denmark.

The Rose Ensemble is joined by Piffaro (pictured), a Philadelphia group of early music instrumentalists, for “Welcome the People,” a landmark choral concert marking the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. The program features first-generation Reformation composers and a reconstruction of the royal baptismal mass from 1616.

Former Doobie Brothers singer Michael McDonald, the distinctive voice of “What a Fool Believes,” is suddenly hip. At age 65, no less. He’s connecting with millennials thanks to his recent collaborations with indie rockers Grizzly Bear and neo-R&B force Thundercat. Plus, many hipsters are embracing yacht rock, which includes the Doobies and Steely Dan (McDonald’s other group) as well as Marc Cohn, who is opening for McDonald.

Jon Bream

7:30 p.m. Thu. State Theatre, Mpls. $58.50-$104, ticketmaster.com

Pillsbury House Theatre has renamed its Late Nite series, running the next three Saturdays, to honor the late Laurie Carlos. Spoken word and theater artist Renita Martin, musician Truth Maze and dancers/story­tellers Kenna-Camara Cottman and Yonci Peaceful Jameson kick things off. The series continues with dance by Tony-winning “Rent” choreographer Marlies Yearby; spoken word by Tish Jones; and music from PaviElle French, Douglas Ewart and Mankwe Ndosi.

Rohan Preston

9 p.m. Sat. $15 suggested, pillsburyhousetheatre.org

The holiday season will be in full swing later this week, just as soon as the Halloween costumes are packed away. Find the perfect gift for that finicky someone at the eclectic Minneapolis Gift and Art Expo, with products ranging from upscale luxury to boho chic. Sample gourmet fare, take in a crafting demonstration and participate in workshops on screen printing, woodworking and other fine crafts.

An innovative fingerpicking guitar hero who also happens to be one of Mali’s pre-eminent Afropop music stars, Habib Koité is back at the Cedar for the first time in three years just a few weeks after completing his first U.K. tour in a decade. The griot singer and his longtime band Bamada put on an uplifting show despite their songs often tackling problems back home and abroad.

Penny Marshall was typically self-effacing whenever her brother, the late filmmaker Garry Marshall, proudly boasted that his sister was the first female director to direct a $100 million box-office hit.

Elon Musk unveiled his underground transportation tunnel on Tuesday, allowing reporters and invited guests to take some of the first rides in the revolutionary albeit bumpy subterranean tube — the tech entrepreneur's answer to what he calls "soul-destroying traffic."

Nearly two dozen consumer, privacy and public health groups are urging U.S. regulators to investigate whether children are being endangered by deceptive apps in Google's app store for smartphones running on its Android software.